By Keisha Lyon, member of Journey to Success Kentucky

Earlier this month, the Journey to Success Kentucky team traveled to Washington DC hoping to elevate youth voices to our federal legislators. Among them were two lived experience experts who joined nationwide JTS advocates at Capitol Hill.

Our main  goals were asking Congress to:

  • Increase Chafee program funding by at least $100 million per year.
  • Improve communications to ensure that all eligible youth are aware of available services.
  • Expand eligibility so young people up to age 26 may access Chafee services.
  • Prioritize family connections to eliminate “aging out” alone as an acceptable outcome.
  • Increase and update service offerings by soliciting feedback from youth as programs are implemented.

Day One

Our first day in DC consisted of networking and panel discussions. The first panel was for the House Ways and Means Committee where I spoke alongside youth from Florida, Iowa, Indiana, and Utah. I talked about my failed reunification with my mother, the separation from my siblings, not attaining permanency, and the challenges I’m facing as I begin my transition out of foster care. Attempting to portray the loneliness and fear of knowing you may be homeless in a matter of months was not an easy feat, yet it was just a reflection of what youth are facing nationwide.

A need for loving homes, family connections, and aftercare services were echoed by every member of the panel.  After a brief lunch, another panel was held for the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth with a new set panelist. Despite the individual and diverse experiences, the same needs were brought forth.

Day Two

Day two was all about meeting with representatives from our state. These representatives have been allies in the space of child welfare and with established relationships, we hoped to rally their support. We began the morning meeting with Rep. McGarvey’s staffers, followed by Rep. Comer, Rep. Guthrie, and ending with Leader McConnell.

Key themes from these meetings were tackling the lack of Chafee utilization and why that may be, housing opportunities for youth in the commonwealth, poor outcomes like low post-secondary education enrollment and high rates of incarceration, and continuing the Affordable Connectivity Act.

Despite only getting to spend two days before our legislators, the JTS team has made a big impact. Building relationships with other states and rallying our representatives together to pass legislation at the federal level will ensure better outcomes for foster youth across the country.

Learn more about the Journey to Success campaign and its efforts to reform the Chafee Foster Care Program.